126 
Fottler , Fiske, R.awson 
Co., Boston 
DAHLIAS 
Including in our catalogue a complete list of Dahlias, it nmy he helpful to mention a few general hints and ideas 
for the Purchase, Planting, Care, Digging of the Tubers, and the delivery of Dahlias. If these directions are followed in 
general, we do not hesitate to say that everyone should have reasonably satisfactory results, which will be pleasing to 
the grower as well as to ourselves. 
The Dahlia deserves a place in every garden, much more so than they did twenty years ago; with the new varieties 
added each season and the extraordinary array of colors which they possess, the time must come when every lover of 
flowers will always have a few, if not large tracts, of these beautiful Summer and Fall flowers, which thrive all over the 
United States, and are grown with such little care, for 
The Ideal Pot-Root 
; wealth of bloom which they produce. 
RulKc The size of the tuber does not in 
Oize or me QUIDS. any vvay designate the size or 
quality of the flower. Some of the largest tubers only produce 
the more common colors; the older varieties are represented 
often in this way. 
Medium and small-sized bulbs more often produce the finest 
and highest colored flowers, and in many cases the best and 
most effective plants. 
The only requisite of a Dahlia bulb is, be sure that it will 
produce one, two or three eyes, whether large or small, and 
with proper cultivation success is generally assured. 
Note .—Many of our bulbs are pot grown, and should flowers 
be desired early—pot-grown roots started in March and grown 
along indoors or in frames will flower earlier than those made 
from cuttings. 
Exhibitors should consider this point before purchasing. 
Buy: 
inrr r\f fVw* Rulkc The buying of the bulbs is a very important part in the results that are anticipated, 
in 5 U1 iIlc UU1US> when planting time comes upon us. The first thought should be where to purchase, 
and we may say that we feel that we can meet the demands of the most critical. Our collection is now the finest m 
America. The varieties are strictly up-to-date, and the quality of our stock is not surpassed in this country or abroad. 
Our supply of new and recent introductions, especially those for 1915, is limited, and we advise the purchasing of these 
at once, while such varieties are procurable. 
_ J The soil best suited for the Dahlia is a medium light, loamy, and well drained; it should 
_ rcilllizcio. j )0 pi 0U gh e d or dug over in the Fall and stable manure added at that time to allow de¬ 
composition during the Winter, then another thorough working over in the Spring, allowing it to mellow before planting 
is begun. 
Fertilizers should not be added until the plants have made a good growth, or rather better to be used about the time 
the first buds appear, which will enable the plant to better perfect its bloom. 
The Dahlia is not as particular as most of our Summer flowers, and will succeed under a great many 
_ adverse conditions. There are, however, certain locations where Dahlias seem to outdo themselves. 
An open, sunny location seems to favor them at all times. Care should always be taken to protect them from heavy 
winds, as their tops are generally heavy and brittle, and have a tendency to snap off, if not protected by a windbreak or 
heavy stakes, to which they should be firmly tied. 
We also note that Dahlias arc particularly adapted for' seashore use, and not only do well, but thrive, lor the reason 
of the moisture and heavy dews which collect during the nights. , . 
Dahlias should not be planted in low places unless well drained, for should they unfortunately receive a number of 
days' steady rains the tendency is that the tubers may decay and naturally cause the loss of the plants. Having suffered 
a severe loss on this account some time ago, we think it advisable to warn others that they may avoid these unforeseen 
happenings. 
The time for 
Dahlias varies 
planting 
quite 
Time of Planting. 
good deal, according to the locality, whether sheltered 
or open, early or lateness of the season, and the time 
when the general crop is desired. 
In New England the tubers may be set out as early 
as May 1st in some sections and from then until the 
middle of June or first of July. 
Some of our best, blooms have been grown from tubers 
planted out about June 20, obtaining the choicest flow¬ 
ers during the latter part of September. 
Dahlias should be planted from 2^ to 3 feet apart 
and covered to a depth of four inches. 
Note crown at top of each tuber 
where eye sprouts 
Division of the Tubers. JfcSS.it 
undertaken until Spring, or from two to four weeks be¬ 
fore planting time. Care must be observed in the dis¬ 
section of these, whereby a small piece of the crown or 
old stalk must be left with each tuber, to enable the 
eyes to sprout, as most of the eyes are on this crown, 
and very rarely on the tubers themselves. See illus¬ 
tration. 
Field roots of different sizes, equally 
good and correctly divided 
